Toolless Engineered Composite (TEC)

Plastics Unlimited TEC (Toolless Engineered Composite) material is a patent pending process which incorporates the benefits of a thermoformed product and the strength of fiberglass reinforcement. This toolless process utilizes the thermoformed shell as the tool surface in our closed mold process. The result is an extremely durable product with unmatched finish quality.

Unlimited Product Design

The TEC process allows unlimited product layup allowing unique structure using various core materials. Cores may consist of foam, balsa wood, steel, aluminum etc. Cast foam cores allow three dimensional structures which may incorporate mounting hardware, hinges, etc.

Benefits of TEC products (compared to other composite products)

Higher Quality Finish

Class “ A” type finish is possible
Chip/Crack Resistant
Able to buff out minor damage
Fade resistant –UV inhibitors added

Wider Variety of Material Patterns and Colors

Able to use various types of thermoformed sheet

Lower Tooling Cost

Thermoformed shell becomes tooling.
A fraction of the cost for SMC or RTM tooling

Shorter Cycle Times-Able to Produce High Quantities

No waiting for part to cure to free up mold tool

Better Strength/Weight Ratio

.180” thick final product

ASTM D-792 Density
1.17 g/cm
ASTM D-638 Poisson Ratio
1,200,000 psi
ASTM D-638 Tensile Strength
16,700 psi
ASTM D-790 Flexural Modulus
652,200 psi
ASTM D-790 Flexural Strength
20,119 psi
ASTM D-695 Compression Strength
22,577 psi
ASTM D-256A Notched Izod
18.30 ft lb/in

Low/No VOC

Close mold process with little to no VOC emissions
No permits required

Green Solutions

Plastics Unlimited is a leader in the development of environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and materials. The TEC process produces little or no VOC’s during the close mold infusion process and allows production without worry of exceeding emission limits.

With help from our suppliers, we continue to research and develop materials from renewable resources like corn and soybeans. Our goal is to utilize the highest percentage of renewable materials without compromising the quality of our product.